3rd gen runner vs 1st gen taco

[Edubsam]

Ok, so I have been looking around for a 3rd gen for a few months, I have found some I would buy, but I'm getting layed off soon so I want to get a new job before I buy. Lately, I have been considering a 1st gen taco as well.

Now, I know a lot of you are going to be biased, but what are your thoughts when comparing a 99 or 00 highlander (that's the only runner I would buy) to a 96 - 00ish taco?

I have been doing research, but nothing beats forums and real people, so opinions are welcome.

My situation is this: I am 21 and do almost all on road driving, but want to get on the trail a lot more. No kids or anything like that, just a live in girlfriend. I like the idea of the interior room of the runner, but I like the bed of the taco as well. That's probably one of the hardest things for me to decide on. I don't really need the bed for the hauling value, as my parents live a half hour away and I have access to the f350 anytime I need it. It's just nice to have a bed though, ya know?

What do you all think? Also, I'd like to find a good taco forum, comparable to t4r.org, anyone know of one?

Oh yeah! What would you all say as far as basics to look for in a taco. I want the v6 over the I4 right? Seems 5 spds are a lot easier to find in tacos, yay. I have also heard a bit about the trd axels being a little weaker than the others, but I'm not going to build it super extreme, thinking 33s and some armor tops, should the Trd axel be able to handle that fine? What years should I be lookin for? I want a manual with a locker, and like the looks of the first body style, but I can deal with something else is something else is going to be better.

I know it's tons of info to ask for, but you are all geniuses, so....

Here is the same post over at taco world. No responses as of 10:30 this morning.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173957

 

[t4r4life]

i'd go to a 4runner but i know what you are saying with the taco, sometimes i wish i have a bed, but if you already have a pickup in the family deff get the 4runner, you have more storing space, yeah you can load more stuff in the truck bed but can you lock it down so no one can steal it? nope. unless you get a 400 dollar camper top

 

[brian2sun]

I'd like to find a good taco forum, comparable to t4r.org, anyone know of one?

Check out ttora.com.

Oh yeah! What would you all say as far as basics to look for in a taco. I want the v6 over the I4 right? Seems 5 spds are a lot easier to find in tacos, yay. I have also heard a bit about the trd axels being a little weaker than the others, but I'm not going to build it super extreme, thinking 33s and some armor tops, should the Trd axel be able to handle that fine? What years should I be lookin for? I want a manual with a locker, and like the looks of the first body style, but I can deal with something else is something else is going to be better.

The I4 vs. the V6? Well that depends.. In a 3rd gen 4runner, I think the 3.4 V6 is the only way to go because it's a heavy vehicle and the 2.7 I4 just doesn't have enough power IMO, especially if you run 33s and armor. I feel the same for a double or extended cab Taco. But for my next DD, I want to get a 2.7 standard cab 4x4 Taco. It's a small, light truck so the 4 banger will be fine and get better mpgs. And the 2.7 is just as reliable as the 3.4 so it has it's uses.

5 speeds and elockers are definitely easier to find in Tacos than in 4runners. I wouldn't worry about the strength of the TRD axles with 33s.

As far as Taco vs. 4runner.. If you have access to a F350 anytime you want, then I say get a 4runner. They are the perfect camping, exploring, outdoor activity vehicle and are just as capable as Tacomas off road. But, you can lock all your gear up in a 4runner (much better than a camper shell IMO) and keep everything out of the rain too. Fold down the seats and sleep in the back too.

 

[SnowRambler]

If you live in the "salt belt", check the Taco frame for rot. The 1st Gen Taco frames where not factory dipped in rust proofing and are prone to rot. Toyota is stepping-up and replacing the frames for free, but who knows how long this program will last.

A friend of mine just had his 2000 Taco frame replaced for free and is very happy with the Toyota service he received. He said his Toyota dealer had a pile of rusty frames sitting on a trailer already.

 

[Duhockey]

I think we all respect the Taco for what it is, but for what you said you want to do, the 4runner is the way to go. No doubt about it.

Take your girl out camping, put down the backseat and sleep in comfort on an air mattress inside your rig.

Theres only been about 3 times Ive needed a pickup truck in the past 4 years and those were when we moved and I needed to move my queen size bed...

you will be surprised at how much stuff can fit in the back when you put the seats down in a 4runner.

 

[4-Ripcord]

With tacomas, the manuals are very common, but were not available on the double cabs. The e-locker was also more common and available all the way up to 2004 (TRD package=e-locker and PL, PW, etc..). Yes, the non-TRD 8.4 axle is stonger, but the TRD axle will do just fine for you, but will cost you more money. Definitely the 3.4, anything less is a regrettable buy. Also the tacoma will see a few MPG more than a 4runner. About 1-2 with same style driving. Forums? Tacomaworld is the best there is, tops this place.

Now the 4runner, great for camping with the folding seats and whatnot. Plus all of the other advantages of an SUV. 4runners have ABS, tacomas dont. Cant see the clock on tacomas, its in a horrible spot!


Having owned both a 2001 tacoma (2wd, double cab, auto, SR5 TRD) and my 4runner, I like the 4runner more. But if the tacoma was 4x4, I wouldnt have sold it to begin with.

Overall, they both are very attractive vehicles, I say get what suits your needs.

 

[Dagobah]

you will be surprised at how much stuff can fit in the back when you put the seats down in a 4runner.

This ^
With the seats down in my third gen, I think of it as a single cab shortbed pickup with a camper shell. Plus a pickup wond have handy doors to access the front sides of your bed, and the camper shell on a pickup wont have power windows that roll down. Just my $0.02...

 

[badattitude]

It's really nice to have a covered cargo area. The Taco bed is larger but if you want to have any cargo at all it will get wet when you drive in the rain. For this reason I like the 4runner.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I feel like I can speak with some authority here...

...Because I have owned both.

I owned a 2004 Taco Extra-cab from 2007 - 2009. I sold it and then bought my current '99 4runner.

There are, of course, pluses and minuses to both.

Taco pluses:

- Much, much, MUCH easier to find with a manual if that's what you want (mine was a manual, SR5 non-TRD model.)

- Easier to carry stuff in the back (duh.)

- Overall much simpler, generally speaking.

Taco minuses:

- For the most part, you have to get a TRD if you want the rear locker. I've heard of non-TRD's with a locker but I've never actually seen one.

- Longer wheelbase = harder to turn around on the street or on a trail

- Less sophisticated rear suspension (leafs vs. the 4runner's 5-link coil system)

- Fewer "comfort" features like power windows, locks, remote keyless entry

- Seats in base model are not nearly as comfortable as 4runner or TRD model Taco

- Not all Tacos have AC (every 4runner I've ever seen has it.)

- Dash clock hidden behind steering wheel (a small annoyance but believe me, it grows on you!)

A few other points regarding the 4runner vs. Taco choice:

1. Don't kid yourself into thinking "I can seat a passenger in the back of an extra cab if it's just for short distances." No, you can't. Not if they're an adult and not if you still want to be friends afterwards. If you need passenger room get a 4runner or a double-cab.

2. When you consider that prices for 3rd gen 4runners and Tacos are roughly the same, you really get a lot more "bang for your buck" with a 4runner. Think about the things you get with the 4runner that you don't get with the Taco: 5 windows that roll down at the touch of a button, 5 doors for access, a rear window wiper/washer/defroster, 5 link rear suspension, and tinted windows behind the driver. With the Taco that stuff either costs extra or just isn't available. In the later model (99-up) 4runners you even have the option of a multi-mode 4wd system, something that was never available on the Taco.

3. I lost track of the number of times I was unable to do something with my Taco because I could only carry one passenger. That was a major, MAJOR PITA. You might say "but I never carry more than one person anyway!" Yeah, that's what you think until you get a truck and then you have to say "oh, wait, I can't pick you up from the airport because there's two of you and I can only fit one passenger, unless you want to squeeze in the back of my extended cab (and believe me, nobody needs a ride from the airport that badly.)

4. Unless you get a cap or shell, your ability to carry stuff securely is very limited. Even then, if you carry stuff it will not be climate-controlled like the interior of an SUV. When I went camping in the desert in my Taco, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seal the bed area against dust, which meant that every night I slept in a dusty camper. My 4runner, OTOH, is nicely sealed against dust and makes for a nice, comfy (if somewhat cramped) camper.

5. For those rare occasions when you need to carry something long, you can actually carry pretty long items in a 4runner if you roll down the back window and put the items in between the front seats. You can't really do that with a Taco because you have a hard bulkhead between the cab and the bed.

Final thought: Some people need a truck. If you carry dirt bikes, if you need a purpose built camper, if you haul snowmobiles or whatever, then you need a truck and you know it.

But if you're having to choose between a Taco and a 4runner, then you don't need a truck. And based on that, IMO the truck forces you to make too many compromises that the SUV does not.

That's the reason I went from a Taco to a 4runner. And for those rare occasions when I need to carry a motorcycle or something large, I have a nice, cheap utility trailer I can pull with my 4runner - best of both worlds.

 

[Edubsam]

You all make fantastic points. I didn't realize the taco was lacking that much in power options an convenience things, I knew it was less, just not that much.

4runner was the gut choice a few months ago, sometimes you just gotta trust that.

Now I just need to find a job that isn't gonna lay me off :/ haha

 

[Pikeman]

I had a 98 Tacoma Extra Cab SR5 with full power V6 4x4 with a nice camper shell on it. It was fine around town and on mild trails. It was completely stock with the exception of the shell and the Tundra sequoia wheels. Anyways the 121" wheel base can make for an issue if you decide to wheel it. I averaged 2-3mpg better then I do with my 4Runner. I would say at 21 you are still going out and doing things with friends and the limited passenger ability of the Taco means your buddies are always driving. I think the 4 Runner is a better choice but you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Edubsam]

If they are driving, I'm drinking

Good point, though, the runner is the best choice I think. I'll just buy a tundra someday... And a boat... And a snowmobile.... A bike.... Lake house... Win the lottery. Twice.

 

[SCRunner12]

I wish I had my old Taco right now (99 4x4 xtr cab auto supercharged). I love my 4runner, but I loved having a truck. I was going to get a truck, but found out about the baby and priorities changed. My 4runner is a lot nicer in the inside than my Taco was and the seating room is awesome. The only way I'll get another 1st gen taco is if it's a Double cab. The xtr cab is too small for passengers to fit comfortably. The 4runner can haul stuff and having an enclosed area is nice for storing tools and other items. I say go for the 4runner, but if you find a great deal on a Taco take it. Also get the V6 and like Ripcord said, Tacomaworld is the best place for info on Tacos.

 

[Nelsonmd]

No kids or anything like that, just a live in girlfriend.

Be careful... You don't want to buy a taco, then have a surprise need for a back seat...:boink: (oh the inappropriateness of the boink emoticon)

If you have access to an F350 when you need it, I would definitely go for the 4runner. Martinjmpr makes some really good points.

The luxury points would be a big factor to me. I really love some of the minor details about my 4runner, like the auto up/down for both driver and pass front windows. The passengers thing is a really good point too.

 

[IanB]

The luxury points would be a big factor to me. I really love some of the minor details about my 4runner, like the auto up/down for both driver and pass front windows. The passengers thing is a really good point too.

Hold the phone! You have auto up/down for BOTH front windows?

 

[Pikeman]

Hold the phone! You have auto up/down for BOTH front windows?

Yeah another cool thing us 98 and older don't have, might even be a '00-'02 thing.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

hold the phone! You have auto up/down for both front windows?

99+

 

[Martinjmpr]

99+

Yup, Auto up/down on both front windows on mine, too.

Drives the wife crazy, though. She can't figure out how to open the window partially. I usually just end up doing it for her.

I forgot to mention other advantages of the 4runner: Better map/interior lights, better center console design, locking fuel door with interior release, 12v power outlet in the back & better quality wheels.

 

[IanB]

Yeah another cool thing us 98 and older don't have, might even be a '00-'02 thing.

99+

Yup, Auto up/down on both front windows on mine, too.

I should just forget I ever heard this, the odds of finding the parts to convert a RHD to do this would likely be far more work than it's worth, but that would be super nice. I imagine a day when I have a macro function wired to the passenger side rear window switch that rolls up/down all glass in the truck at once...someday. :bigok:

 

[Nelsonmd]

I should just forget I ever heard this, the odds of finding the parts to convert a RHD to do this would likely be far more work than it's worth, but that would be super nice. I imagine a day when I have a macro function wired to the passenger side rear window switch that rolls up/down all glass in the truck at once...someday. :bigok:

Oh yeah, a co-worker of mine had that feature on his BMW. It was BA. It worked off of his key fob.

I just wish that every window, including the rear hatch and sunroof were fully automatic.